2011 Ford Explorer Raises the Bar on Safety

The newly-designed 2011 Ford Explorer sets a new standard in SUV safety with an effective mix of technology to avoid crashes, plus innovation to protect passengers in the event of an accident:

• Explorer raises the bar on SUV safety with a class-leading array of airbags including industry-exclusive inflatable second-row seat belts, a Safety Canopy®, Trinity front crash impact structure and collision warning with brake support
• All-new Explorer features AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™), Curve Control, MyKey™ programmability and MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology – all class-exclusive offerings to help drivers avoid a crash incident
• Explorer features a body structure comprised of high-strength steels – including boron – to increase rigidity and help protect its passengers
• 2011 Explorer arrives with a full complement of additional safety features such as Tire Pressure Monitoring System, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, first-row Belt-Minder® and seat belt pretensioners

Find out more about the 2011 Ford Explorer by contacting Lakewood Fordland. 

Ford Makes Changes on 2011 Ford Explorer

For 2011, Ford has updated their popular Explorer model:

For two decades, the Explorer offered on a truck-based body-on-frame platform 2- and 4-door body styles, rear- and four-wheel drive, V6 and V8 engines and enough off-road capability to serve the tiny fraction of owners who actually took them off road.


The big news for the 2011 model is its shift to unibody construction to reduce weight, boost mileage and give the Explorer more car-like ride and handling characteristic.Given the success of the so-called crossover market - SUV-like vehicles that ride on car instead of truck architectures -- it makes sense to evolve the Explorer in an effort to keep pace with today's utility buyers' tastes.

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Contact Lakewood Fordland for more information on the release of the 2011 Ford Explorer!

Ford Wins Most Awards in J.D. Power & Associates 2010 APEAL Study

Ford has won five segment awards in the 2010 J.D. Powers' Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL):

Ford received five segment awards, more than any other brand, in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2010 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The closely watched survey measures customer satisfaction in design, content, and vehicle performance.

In June, the Ford brand achieved the highest initial quality among all non-luxury brands in J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS). For the second consecutive year Ford was the only non-premium brand to achieve above industry average scores in both J.D. Power’s IQS and APEAL studies.

In this year’s APEAL survey, owners of the 2010 Ford Fusion, Taurus, Flex, Expedition and Explorer Sport Trac, rated these vehicles highest in their respective segments for vehicle appeal, which is comprised of style, comfort, performance and other vehicle attributes.

“It’s a significant accomplishment to do so well in APEAL on the heels of receiving high marks from J.D. Power on initial quality,” said Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Global Quality and New Model Launches. “The APEAL results stand as another proof point that Ford is redefining quality. We know it’s not enough to build defect-free cars and trucks. We move to the next step by delivering an experience that exceeds our customers’ expectations with features they would expect to find only in high-priced luxury lines.”

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Contact Lakewood Fordland for more information on Ford's award-winning vehicle lines.

2011 Ford Explorer Delivers Better Fuel Economy

The 2011 Ford Explorer with optional 2.0-liter Ecoboost I-4 engine will deliver improved fuel economy:

• All-new Ford Explorer SUV offers best-in-class fuel economy with technologically advanced powertrains featuring multiple enhancements to improve mechanical efficiency
• Explorer offers an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ I-4 engine delivering V6 power with four-cylinder fuel efficiency
• Electric power-assisted steering, battery management, fast engine warm-up and the first North American Ford application of a variable-displacement air conditioning compressor all combine to improve drivability, increase efficiency and save fuel.

The 2011 model equipped with an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ I-4 engine will be the new class leader in the mid-size SUV segment, achieving at least a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared with the current V-6-powered Explorer.

“The all-new Explorer will give a huge universe of existing and prospective customers the capability they expect and the luxury and convenience they want, all combined with the fuel economy they need,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas.

The new Explorer, due in Ford showrooms later this year, has added comfort and convenience features, while overall vehicle weight is reduced compared to the previous model. Extensive use of lighter and stronger high-strength steels such as boron add durability while saving weight. An aluminum hood is used, while a one-piece composite front bolster – the radiator support between engine and grille – is 65 percent lighter. Lighter weight equates to fuel and money saved.

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Find out more about the 2011 Ford Explorer at Lakewood Fordland.

Ford Works With Nuance to Enhance SYNC

Ford has increased the voice-capabilities of their SYNC system by working with voice-technology experts, Nuance:

• With the introduction of MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology, Ford makes it easier to control in-car systems with fewer steps and more natural language; customers can now speak more than 10,000 first-level commands, up from only 100 in first-generation SYNC®
• Working with voice control leader Nuance, SYNC will recognize more direct voice commands such as “Call John Smith,” “Find ice cream” and “Add a phone,” allowing users to do more with fewer steps
• Innovative features boost recognition accuracy and provide “Samantha,” the voice of SYNC, with smoother, more natural speech patterns
• Consumer acceptance of voice control is increasing; the Harris Interactive® 2010 AutoTECHCAST survey found an 8 point year-over-year improvement, and industry analysts predict continued segment growth

At the heart of SYNC is the speech engine, and Ford is working with speech technology leader Nuance to create and integrate a vast library of possible driver requests. This library will enable the SYNC speech engine to listen for and respond to more voice commands directly, recognize different words that mean the same thing (aliases), and integrate a vast number of point-of-interest (POI) names and business types into its navigation system.

“With this latest generation of SYNC, users can control the system without having to learn nearly as many commands or navigate as many menus,” said Brigitte Richardson, Ford global voice control technology and speech systems lead engineer. “As we’ve gained processing power and learned more about how drivers use the system, we’ve been able to refine the interface. Customers can do more and say more from the top-level menu, helping them accomplish their tasks more quickly and efficiently.”

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Learn more about the capabilities of the SYNC system by visiting Lakewood Fordland.

Ford Makes it Easy to Personalize Your Ford Fiesta

Ford's new Fiesta will offer a variety of personalization options:

• All-new 2011 Ford Fiesta comes with design cues that make it stand out, but owners can also add their own personal touch with available Ford Custom Accessories and graphics
• Accessory options include exterior or interior design items such as illuminated gear indicator shift knob and rear spoiler, even a kayak carrier to haul outdoor gear
• Customers can order a body-side tattoo, or choose from one of 18 available graphics to put their own mark on Fiesta

“Fiesta has one of the most diverse and extensive factory-orderable offerings of any of our vehicles,” said Richard Anderson, planning manager, Ford Vehicle Personalization. “We’re pleased by the take-rates on early Fiesta orders, which are about twice as high as we’ve seen on any other vehicle line.”

The accessories ordered the most include items such as:

Interior protection package, which comes with all-weather floor mats and a rear cargo area protector
Exterior protection package, which includes splash guards and a rear bumper protector
Illuminated interior accessory package, with illuminated front door sill plates and shift knob

A rear roof spoiler exclusive to the hatchback is a chiseled head-turner that matches Fiesta colors. Want your Fiesta to look like it’s ready to take to the track? A four-piece, race-inspired body kit comes with a sculpted front air dam, side skirts and a sleek rear valance.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a kayak carrier, a bike carrier and a roof rack to help transport gear. An armrest with a generous storage bin is also available, and folds up between the seats for convenience.

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Find out more about the new 2011 Ford Fiesta at Lakewood Fordland.

New 2011 Lincoln MKX Leads in Luxury Crossover Segment

The new 2011 Lincoln MKX is set to be a leader in the luxury crossover segment due to its best-in-class power, torque, and fuel economy:

• 2011 Lincoln MKX receives official certification by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with best-in-class fuel economy of any luxury midsize crossover, delivering 19 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway
• 2011 Lincoln MKX also boasts best-in-class 305 horsepower, 40 more than the outgoing product, and 280 lb.-ft. of torque versus all V6 competitors
• New 3.7-liter V6 engine employs several fuel-efficient strategies that also improve performance, including twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff and battery management

For the 2011 MKX, engineers integrated the new 3.7-liter V6 engine, which uses twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to increase the vehicle's power and fuel economy. The broadened torque curve allows the intake valve to be advanced, delivering about a 10 percent power increase compared to non-Ti-VCT engines. Variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts helps extract more energy from each drop of fuel, leading to a 4.5 percent improvement in fuel economy.

The engine also employs a control strategy called aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff to save fuel. This strategy shuts off the engine when the driver doesn't need engine torque. It uses the momentum from the torque delivered to the transmission to move the vehicle, rather than more fuel.

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Ford to Expand Lincoln Line-up

Ford plans to increase the Lincoln vehicle line-up in the next few years:

• Ford is expanding its Lincoln lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years – including its first-ever C-segment vehicle
• Lincoln’s plan accelerates with more investment and attention on standout product design, class-leading technology and powertrains delivering top performance and fuel efficiency
• Lincoln product development, marketing, sales and service resources expanding as the brand competes with Cadillac and Lexus in the marketplace
• Ford will end production of Mercury vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year to fully devote its financial, product development, production and marketing, sales and service resources toward further growing its core Ford brand while enhancing Lincoln
• Existing Mercury owners to receive continued access to parts and service support at Ford and Lincoln dealers; current Mercury vehicle warranties and Extended Service Plans will be honored; special offers available on new Mercury vehicles through the summer
• Affected dealers to receive specialized support during the transition, as the company continues its transformation to a more profitable dealer network

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Find out more about the Lincoln line of vehicles at Lakewood Fordland.